Method and device for the decoupling/coupling of transport elements to a drive mechanism

Abstract

Method for decoupling and/or coupling of transport elements to a drive mechanism, in particular a drive mechanism (2) with a mainly continuously moving drive element (3). The decoupling and/or coupling is done by the coupling element (4) provided onto the transport element (1) which can work in conjunction with the drive mechanism (2). The speed of the coupling element (4) is gradually reduced prior to the decoupling, and gradually increased after the coupling respectively.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for coupling and decoupling transport elements with a continuously moving drive element, said transport elements having coupling elements cooperating with said moving drive element, comprising: means for coupling and decoupling being configured to gradually reduce the speed of one of said coupling elements prior to a decoupling and to gradually increase the speed of one of said coupling elements after a coupling,   said means for coupling and decoupling including:   (A) a rotating guiding element provided with a substantially circular recess, and a plurality of coupling element guides extending outward from said circular recess, and each said guide positioned oblique to a radial direction of the guiding element; and   (B) a semi-circular guide positioned under the circular recess for selectively controlling one of said coupling elements.   
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the substantially circular recess is ring-shaped. 
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the coupling elements guides is mainly radially tapered to exert a carrier force on the coupling element during the decoupling. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the above-mentioned at least one coupling element guide has a slanting bottom which tapers radially upward towards an inside, with an inner edge thereof situated higher than a bottom of the ring-shaped recess. 
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the coupling element guides is radially tapered to exert a carrier force on the coupling element during the coupling. 
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one coupling element guide has a slanting bottom which tapers radially upward towards an outside, with an outer edge thereof situated higher than a bottom of a recess in the drive element. 
     
     
       7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the rotating guiding element comprises a gear wheel turned by a movement of the continuously moving drive element. 
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the rotating guiding element comprises a plate with a guide recess, the guide recess having a first guide edge to force the coupling element towards the drive element during the coupling, and a second guide edge to lead the coupling element in case the transport element would have to pass without being decoupled. 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an engaging mechanism operable to decouple the transport element and to keep the transport element coupled to the drive element. 
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the engaging mechanism comprises a rotatable disc with at least one first guide to force the coupling element in decoupled position, and at least one second guide to force the coupling element to follow a trajectory of the drive element, whereby the coupling element follows one of the first and second guides due to the rotation of the rotatable disc. 
     
     
       11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the disc includes at least one opening formed therein, and an interlocking mechanism with a disconnectable pawl operable to work in conjunction with the at least one opening in the disc. 
     
     
       12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control element means for controlling the semi-circular guide. 
     
     
       13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element guides extend outward in alternating slanting directions. 
     
     
       14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising said drive element including an endless element provided with recesses, and said coupling elements including vertical pins cooperating with said recesses.